One of the worst nightmares of a woman is to have her hair go dry, making it look dull, drab, and damaged. Why does this happen? Because of a decided lack of moisture, and this moisture is what gives your hair the power to maintain normal shine and texture.
Hair is made up of three distinct layers; the outer layer is supposed to protect the inner, vulnerable layers. However, when the outer layer gets damaged, it causes hair to become dry and dull. The oil in your scalp that is provides moisture to your hair, is released by sebaceous glands that are connected to hair follicles. Another thing to note is that a person having dry skin may have a problem of dry hair too. Dry hair is known to lead to hair fall and dandruff, which are their own nightmares! So it’s imperative that you treat your dry hair as soon as possible, and as effectively as possible.
Suggested read: 11 super-awesome home remedies for oily hair to help control the grease
Causes of dry hair
Dry hair is also very brittle, making hair loss a real possibility. Some of the most common causes for dry, dull, damaged hair are:
- Use of harsh/wrong hair products
- Excessive washing of hair
- Certain medical conditions
- Genetics
- High porosity
- Lack of moisture
- Underactive thyroid
- Underactive parathyroid
- Malnutrition
- Dehydration
- Anorexia nervosa
- Excessive use of blow dryers, hair dryers, curling irons, and straighteners
- Excessive chemical treatments like dyes, relaxers, chemical masks, etc.,
- Exposure to sun for long
- Exposure to chlorinated water
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Symptoms of dry hair
Dry, damaged hair is a pain to deal with. Look out for these symptoms that indicate that your hair is dry:
- Dull hair
- Hair fall
- Hair breakage
- Tangled hair
- Brittle hair
- Lack of shine
- Split ends
- Itchy scalp
- Highly porous
- No elasticity
Home remedies for dry hair
Now that you know what causes dry hair and what are the signs to look out for, let’s see how to deal with it so that you don’t have to shed tears over it anymore. Instead of taking hair treatments that may or may not work, may or may not exacerbate the situation, you should be looking at home remedies for dry hair. These are not only natural, they don’t have any side effects either. Let’s take a look at some of the most common home remedies here:
1. Aloe vera
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Aloe vera contains a unique combination of minerals, vitamins, and amino acids that are highly beneficial for dry, dull, and damaged hair.
Remedies
- Slice open a fresh aloe vera leaf and squeeze out the fresh gel into a bowl. Add 2 teaspoons each of castor oil and ground fenugreek seeds, plus 1 teaspoon of basil powder. Mix well to form a thick paste, and apply it on to your scalp and hair. Cover your hair with a shower cap and go to sleep. The next morning, rinse your hair with a mild shampoo. Use this at least once every week for best results.
- To 1 cup of fresh aloe vera gel, add 2 teaspoons of hibiscus flower paste and mix well. Use this homemade conditioner regularly after washing your hair.
2. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is very effective in treating dry, damaged hair. The acetic acid and potassium in the vinegar help combat the dryness in your hair. It helps restore the pH balance in your scalp, thereby helping fight off itching and dandruff.
Remedy
- Pour some apple cider vinegar into a bowl. Dip a cotton ball into it and apply it all over your scalp and hair. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.
Pro tip: Instead of apple cider vinegar, you can also use plain vinegar too.
3. Avocado
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Avocado is a powerhouse of saturated fats, proteins, vitamins E and A, and other essential minerals, which make it one of the best things out there to combat dry and damaged hair. Not only does it help add moisture to your dry hair shafts, it also helps strengthen your hair.
Remedies
- Mash 1 ripe avocado in a clean bowl. Add 1 teaspoon each of jojoba oil and wheatgerm oil to it and mix well to make a smooth paste. Apply this paste gently on freshly washed hair, starting from roots to the tips. Cover your hair with a shower cap so as to avoid drips. Let it be for 30 minutes, before shampooing your hair in lukewarm water. Use this remedy once or twice a week for best results.
- Mash 1 ripe avocado with 1 egg, till it’s a smooth paste. Apply this to wet hair and leave it on for 20 minutes, before rinsing it off thoroughly. Repeat this remedy once a week for dry, damaged hair.
- Mash 1 ripe avocado in a clean bowl and add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to it. Mix well to make a smooth paste. Apply this to your freshly washed hair and leave it on for half an hour, before rinsing it thoroughly. Use this remedy at least once every week.
Suggested read: 13 amazingly easy home remedies for silky hair
4. Bananas
Image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License
Bananas have high potassium and moisture content, which make them the ideal ingredient to treat extremely dry and damaged hair. Not only does it help retain moisture and put an end to split ends, it also softens and improves the elasticity of your hair.
Remedies
- Mash 1 ripe banana and spread it all over your hair from roots to the tips. Let it sit for about an hour before rinsing it off thoroughly with lukewarm water. Use this remedy at least once a week for best results.
- Mash 1 overripe banana in a bowl and add 1 tablespoon of almond oil and 2 tablespoons of honey. Mix well and apply this paste on your hair. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing it well with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy at least once a week for smooth, shiny hair.
5. Beer
Beer is an excellent hair conditioner, and that’s why Park Avenue came up with their beer shampoo range. Beer contains proteins that help repair damaged hair follicles and provide them with the nourishment they lack.
Remedies
- Wash your hair as you usually do and in the end, spray/douse your hair with a small amount of beer. Let it air dry on its own.
- Another way is to spray beer onto your hair, before you use styling equipment like blow dryers or straighteners.
Pro tip: If you’re worried about your hair smelling like beer once it’s dried, don’t worry, because the smell would have evaporated on its own.
6. Curry leaves
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Curry leaves are rich in vitamins, and minerals like calcium, phosphorous, iron, which are most effective in combating dry hair.
Remedy
- In a saucepan, heat 5-6 curry leaves along with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Once it’s reaching the boiling point, take it off the heat and let it cool down. Dip a cotton ball into this and apply it all over your scalp and hair. Wrap a warm towel on your hair and leave it on for 15 minutes, before rinsing it off with a mild shampoo.
7. Eggs
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Eggs are a rich source of proteins and lecithin, both of which are very effective in combating dry, damaged hair. It also helps add shine, texture, and much-needed moisture to your hair.
Remedies
- Take 1 egg white and 2 tablespoons of lukewarm water, and whip it thoroughly. Apply this to your damp hair and scalp, massaging it with your fingertips using circular motions for about 10-15 minutes. Post the massage, shampoo your hair with cool water. Repeat this remedy once or twice every week to see positive results.
- Crack open 3 eggs, to which add 2 tablespoons of olive oil or coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of honey, and a few drops of lemon juice, and mix well. Apply this to your hair and scalp. Cover it with a shower cap and leave it on for half an hour, before washing it off with lukewarm water.
8. Honey
Honey is another natural remedy most commonly used to treat dry, damaged hair. It helps seal your hair with moisture, making it soft, shiny, and smooth.
Remedies
- Wash your hair as you usually do, and then apply half a cup of honey to your damp hair. Massage it into your scalp using circular motions. Cover it with a shower cap and let it rest for half an hour, before rinsing it with lukewarm water. Use this remedy at least twice every week.
- To 2 tablespoons of honey, add 2 tablespoons of glycerin and 4 tablespoons of olive oil and mix well. Once you’ve washed your hair, use this as a conditioner.
9. Olive oil
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Olive oil is one of the most commonly used home remedies for dry hair, and rightly so. It is rich in vitamin E and antioxidants, that help heal dry, damaged hair by sealing the outer layer with moisture.
Remedy
- Take warmed extra virgin olive oil in a bowl and using a cotton ball, apply it all over your hair and scalp. Massage your scalp with your fingertips using circular motions for about 5-10 minutes. Wrap your hair with a warm towel and leave it on overnight. The next morning, wash it and condition it properly. Use this remedy at least once every week for best results.
Pro tip 1: If you don’t want to leave it overnight, let it sit in your hair for at least 30-45 minutes
Pro tip 2: You can use the same remedy with almond oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, or coconut oil.
Suggested read: 12 awesome home remedies for frizzy hair
10. Yogurt
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Yogurt is a natural conditioner that is excellent for dry hair. The probiotics in yogurt help your hair retain the moisture that it sorely lacks.
Remedies
- To half a cup of yogurt, add 1 teaspoon each of honey and apple cider vinegar and mix well. Apply this on your hair, from roots to the tips. Leave it on for 15 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.
- Apply plain yogurt directly on your scalp and let it be for half an hour, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.
- To half a cup of yogurt, add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil or mustard oil and mix well. Apply this on your scalp and hair and leave it on for half an hour, before washing it off with a mild shampoo.
Pro tip: Use any of these yogurt remedies at least once a week for best results.
There you go – all the natural, home remedies for dry hair, that work wonders to bring back the shine, smoothness, and luster back into your hair.
Featured image source: Shutterstock
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